Diffusibility of Blame: Effects on Persistence in a Project

Abstract

The article provides information on a study which investigated the effects of the diffusion of blame on commitment to a previously chosen course of action. A discussion is presented about the importance of wise resource allocation and the difficulty faced by executives forced to shut down a failing program. Psychological factors influencing managerial decisions regarding personal projects are examined. The authors examine the diffusion of blame related to an employee strike on commitment to a given project.